The demand for more time to complete tax audits for AY 2026-27 has received another push, with P.P. Chaudhary, Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on One Nation One Election, taking up the matter with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
In a letter dated 21st September 2026, Chaudhary forwarded a representation from the Tax Bar Association, Jodhpur, requesting the government to extend the due date for furnishing Tax Audit Reports from 30th September 2026 to 31st October 2026.
Tax Professionals Seek More Time for Tax Audits
The request comes against the backdrop of a tightly packed compliance calendar for tax professionals.
In the representation, the Tax Bar Association pointed out that professionals were occupied with return-filing assignments until 31 August 2026, leaving limited time to complete tax audit work before the existing 30th September deadline.
The association also highlighted the time involved in handling income-tax utilities and their subsequent updates, along with detailed reconciliation and verification required during tax audits.
For many professionals, tax audit work does not happen in isolation. At the same time, they also have to manage compliance requirements relating to GST, TDS/TCS and other statutory obligations. The representation stated that these overlapping responsibilities have further reduced the practical time available for completing audits.
Request to Extend Tax Audit Deadline to 31st October
Taking up the concerns raised by the Jodhpur Tax Bar Association, P.P. Chaudhary has requested the Finance Ministry to consider the matter and grant the proposed extension.
The letter specifically asks the Ministry to use its powers under Section 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, to extend the Tax Audit Report deadline from 30 September 2026 to 31st October 2026.
The representation also seeks a corresponding extension of related statutory compliance timelines.
Why the Extension Matters to Tax Professionals
The tax audit season involves more than simply preparing and uploading an audit report. Professionals have to collect financial information, reconcile records, verify transactions and ensure that the figures reported in the audit report are consistent with the taxpayer's books and other statutory filings.
With several compliance requirements falling within the same period, the additional time sought by the association is aimed at giving professionals more breathing room to complete audit assignments and related compliances.
Extension Still Needs Official Notification
The letter from P.P. Chaudhary is a request for an extension and not an extension of the statutory deadline itself.
Therefore, until the competent authority issues an official notification or order changing the due date, taxpayers and tax professionals need to continue working with the applicable deadline.
The development nevertheless adds to the ongoing representations being made for additional time to complete AY 2026-27 tax audit compliances.
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